Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC
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Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC
@oipcbc.bsky.social
180 followers 32 following 120 posts
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC is independent from government and promotes and protects the information and privacy rights of British Columbians. Learn more about our office here: https://www.oipc.bc.ca/about/about-us/
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Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC @oipcbc.bsky.social · Mar 5
Welcome to the OIPC BC on Bluesky!

Social Media Policy: www.oipc.bc.ca/social-media...

Please note: We do not accept access or privacy complaints or requests for review via this page.

Visit oipc.bc.ca to learn more about how to submit complaints and requests for review.
Social Media Policy - Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC
We use social media to share news & engage citizens, public bodies, and private organizations in a conversation about access and privacy issues.
www.oipc.bc.ca
oipcbc.bsky.social
Commissioner Michael Harvey joined other Canadian regulators at the Canadian Bar Association's (CBA) Privacy and Access Conference in Ottawa last week. The commissioner participated in the Regulators' Perspective session's privacy and access panels on Friday.
This is a promotional image for the CBA’s Privacy and Access to Information Conference and depicts the Canadian Parliament Buildings.
November 10, 2025 at 11:40 PM
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Our office will be closed tomorrow, November 11, in observation of Remembrance Day.
Single poppy.
November 10, 2025 at 11:35 PM
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Our final tip 10: Review guidance from the OIPC on how to keep personal information you work with at your remote office safe.

Protecting Personal Information Away From the Office: https://www.oipc.bc.ca/documents/guidance-documents/1380 #saferemotework
This image is a screen shot of the OIPC’s guidance document page on its website with the tip, Review OIPC guidance
November 10, 2025 at 10:30 PM
oipcbc.bsky.social
Tip 9: Protect your data from loss by backing up your files on a regular basis on an encrypted USB device, cloud storage option, or your organization’s server. Back up your data using a method and location approved by your employer. #saferemotework
This image shows a man backing up his computer with the tip, Back up work
November 10, 2025 at 9:30 PM
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Tip 8: Purchase and install reliable antivirus and internet security software on your devices. It’s your first and best line of defense against cyber threats and malware. #saferemotework
This image states that the use of reliable antivirus software is the best protection again cyber threats and malware.
November 10, 2025 at 8:25 PM
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Tip 7 for safer remote work: Choose a secure workspace or area of your home where you can keep your work private and shielded from view. Shut your computer down at the end of each business day. #saferemotework
image shows a man in his private office with the tip, Choose a secure work space
November 7, 2025 at 12:56 AM
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Tip #6 for safe remote work involves access to your devices. Do not share a laptop you use for working with personal information with anyone else in your household or otherwise, including family members and friends. #saferemotework
photos shows a worker in safe mode on his laptop with the headline, control access to your devices.
November 6, 2025 at 9:27 PM
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Tip 5 for safer remote work concerns phishing scams, which have become increasingly sophisticated. Watch out for unsolicited requests; hover your mouse over links to verify before clicking; and never divulge personal information via email or text. #saferemoteworkimage
shows a hacker with the headline beware of phishing attempts
November 6, 2025 at 7:06 PM
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Coming right up.... Tip 4 in maintaining a safer remote workplace: keep your software updated, so that any security patches are installed on your system to protect you. #saferemotework
abstract image shows a man updating his laptop with the headline, tip 4, keep your software updated
November 5, 2025 at 11:27 PM
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Tip 3 for safer remote work: Follow your workplace protocols and only download authorized apps and programs. Other apps might not have the security standards your organization expects and could expose sensitive personal data. #saferemotework
abstract image of man working with apps on an ipad with a tip to avoid unauthorized apps
November 5, 2025 at 10:48 PM
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NEWS RELEASE Transparency builds trust. When governments share clear, reliable info, we all benefit—from public health to policy decisions.
FPT Info Regulators say: "Transparency is key to a healthy democracy."
Read the full release: www.oipc.bc.ca/documents/in...
#FPT2025 #RightToKnow
Image shows the front page of the FPT resolution.
November 5, 2025 at 7:39 PM
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Caitlin Lemiski, Director of Policy, presented two sessions yesterday at the IT4K12 Conference for educational tech: "From the Headlines to the Classroom: BC’s Privacy Laws and Children" and "Role-Specific Privacy: Getting Your Work Done While Staying on the Right Side of Privacy Laws."
image shows the IT4K12 Conference logo
November 5, 2025 at 6:24 PM
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Commissioner Michael Harvey will be joining other Canadian regulators at the Canadian Bar Association's Privacy and Access Conference in Ottawa on the privacy and access panels of the Regulators' Perspective session on Friday, November 7, from 10:30am-12 noon. #privacy #accesstoinformation
Picture shows parliament buildings in Ottawa and CBA Privacy and Access Law Conference promo.
November 5, 2025 at 3:52 PM
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Tip 2 for staying safe while working remotely: Avoid looking at personal information collected and used for work while you are in public. If it’s unavoidable, take precautions, such as a screen shield, to make sure no one else can view your screen.
saferemotework
image shows a woman sitting at her computer in a cafe, with headline, Tip 2, safeguard public browsing.
November 4, 2025 at 11:15 PM
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NEWS RELEASE OIPC BC is participating in the Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN) privacy sweep taking place this week, which is focussing on the protection of children’s privacy. #privacy #GPEN
image shows logo for the Global Privacy Enforcement Network
November 4, 2025 at 5:21 PM
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Tip 1 for more privacy and security in your remote workspace: Keep work and personal devices separate to help to monitor and protect company data and keep a clean division online between your work and your personal life. #saferemotework
photo of a woman at her laptop, with the headline, Tip 1, Use Designated Devices.
November 4, 2025 at 1:15 AM
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This week, we’ll be taking a look at safer remote work with ten tips to keep personal information safe. #saferemotework
Picture of a man looking into his laptop screen with the headline Remote Work Top Ten Tips.
November 3, 2025 at 7:11 PM
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Each year the OIPC participates in a campaign for PECSF, BC Public Service’s workplace giving program. As part of the campaign, BC's independent officers compete in a chili cook-off. L: Cr. Harvey serves his chili. R: Crawford Railton,BC Ombudsperson Office, presents OIPC with the Best Sides award.
Commissioner Harvey serves up his Tandoori Chili at the annual Chili Cook Off. Crawford Railton, far right, of the BC Ombudsperson Office, presents Michelle Mitchell, left, Commissioner Harvey, and Ethan Plato, right, of the OIPC, with the Best Sides award for their naan bread.
October 28, 2025 at 11:21 PM
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Commissioner Michael Harvey participated in a VCPAC Mental Health Town Hall last night at Spectrum Community School in Saanich, where he talked about children’s privacy on social media and how to promote healthy mental and emotional development. #youthprivacy
Commissioner Michael Harvey participated in a Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (VCPAC) Mental Health Town Hall last night at Spectrum Community School in Saanich, where he talked about children’s privacy on social media and how to promote healthy mental and emotional development. hashtag#youthprivacy Commissioner Michael Harvey participated in a Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (VCPAC) Mental Health Town Hall last night at Spectrum Community School in Saanich, where he talked about children’s privacy on social media and how to promote healthy mental and emotional development. Shown here with a panel of experts.
October 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
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Did you know? If a public body or organization does not respond to your request for records within 30 business days, has denied access to records, or if you disagree with how the records have been severed, you can request a review by the OIPC. Here's how: www.oipc.bc.ca/documents/in...
Image shows an infographic explaining how to request a review. In BC, access to information and privacy rights are governed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). If a public body or organization does not respond to your request for records within 30 business days, has denied access to records, or if you disagree with how the records have been severed, you can request a review by the OIPC. * of a response to an access request If you were denied access to records, our team will work with the public body or organization to get a response. In other cases, we may assign an investigator to examine the disputed records and the public body or organization’s reason for denying access. If the matter cannot be resolved, it may be referred to our adjudication division and proceed to a written inquiry, which could result in a legally binding order.
October 17, 2025 at 10:22 PM
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On our last day of tips, we wanted to remind everyone that OIPC has many guidance documents and videos about keeping your information secure. #cybersecurityawarenessmonth.

Security-related guidance: www.oipc.bc.ca/resources/gu...

PrivacyRight educational program: www.oipc.bc.ca/privacyright/
Tip # 5 Review OIPC Guidance - includes a list of "security" related guidance documents from the guidance section of the OIPC website, with the hashtag #CyberSecurityAwarenessMonth
October 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM
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News release: Canada’s information and privacy regulators wrapped up their annual meeting that focused on critical access and privacy issues facing Canadians.
www.oipc.bc.ca/documents/ne...
Canadian information and privacy regulators and ombudspersons in front of mountain backdrop in Banff, Alberta, at conclusion of Federal, provincial, and territorial meeting.
October 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
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Cybersecurity Awareness Month tip 4? When possible, limit sharing of your location information. If you must share your location, limit it to an approximate location, if that feature is available. Only share your location once or only while you are using the app.

#cybersecurityawarenessmonth
image show a desktop computer with a location button and the words Limit Location Information
October 9, 2025 at 9:42 PM
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Canadian regulators at their annual meeting in Banff this week were briefed on emerging #access & #privacy issues. L to R, Guilda Rostama, Senior Policy Analyst, Michael Harvey, Information and Privacy Commissioner, Ethan Plato, Acting Deputy Commissioner, and oline Twiss, Deputy Commissioner.
Canadian regulators at their annual meeting in Banff this week were briefed on emerging #access & #privacy issues. L to R, Guilda Rostama, Senior Policy Analyst, Michael Harvey, Information and Privacy Commissioner, Ethan Plato, Acting Deputy Commissioner, and oline Twiss, Deputy Commissioner.
October 9, 2025 at 6:03 PM
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Canadian information & privacy regulators shared updates & insights on their jurisdictions at their 2025 #FPT annual meeting in Banff, hosted by OIPC Alberta. Their collaboration creates synergies & opportunities, maximizing their offices’ work to protect Canadian #access & #privacy rights.
Graphic shows mountainous scene in Banff and type reads FPT Annual Meeting.
October 9, 2025 at 12:23 AM